MLB umpire Doug Eddings has come under fire over the Cardinals’ rookie hat controversy.According to reports, Eddings had a verbal altercation with St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol when he told Cardinals reliever Hancel Rincon to adjust his hat in the sixth inning of St. Louis' win over the Rockies. In the videos circulating online, the two could be seen arguing moments after the Dominican baseball pitcher straightened his hat.The home-plate umpire later described the tilt as "really, really crooked," citing what he called an “unwritten rule” about uniforms. Consequently, Eddings ejected Marmol for arguing after intervening because of Rincon’s tilted hat during Rincon’s MLB debut.Born in September 1968, Eddings is a professional baseball umpire in Major League Baseball (MLB). He wears uniform number 88. He made his major league debut in 1998 and has worked as a veteran crew member, officiating major events including the 2019 World Series.Continue reading for more details.MLB Umpire Doug Eddings Sparks Outrage Over Rookie Hat DemandMLB Umpire Doug Eddings has sparked criticism online after he demanded that St. Louis Cardinals reliever Hancel Rincon, who made his MLB debut on September 4, 2026, straighten his hat.After the game, Eddings told reporters:“The batter said, ‘Hey, can he wear his hat like that?’ I really didn't know, but it was really, really crooked. I asked the catcher to tell him to straighten his hat out, and the pitcher did. Nobody said anything until he gave up a couple runs.”Though Doug Eddings did not name the batter, new reports identified Hunter Goodman as the batter who refuted Eddings’ claims. He said:“I never once mentioned the hat. It doesn't matter who's pitching. I don't care how they wear the hat. I'm trying to find out where the ball is coming out, and I'm trying to worry about what I'm doing in the box. I'm not worried about how his hat looks.”Goodman described the tilted hat situation as a “wild thing” that happens in the game. He also expressed his disappointment on being mentioned in the controversy despite no involvement in it. He clarified that he never pays attention to such stuff.Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees argues with home plate umpire Doug Eddings #88 after being ejected in the sixth inning of the game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 08, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. - Source: GettyDuring the bottom of the sixth inning of the Cardinals’ 7-6 win over the Rockies, after Oliver Marmol came out to confront Doug Eddings about the instruction, Eddings assessed a pitch-clock violation against the incoming pitcher and then ejected Marmol. He said:“I had an issue with Doug. Just Doug. He took it upon himself to tell our rookie pitcher the kid's 'not going to wear his hat on my field that way.' You got Dontrelle Willis, CC Sabathia, Pedro Strop – plenty of guys that have worn it way more tilted. I have an issue with that. That's just a power-hungry move, in my opinion.”Before making his MLB debut, Doug Eddings umpired youth, high school and minor league games. He started this job when he was just 12. He went to Mayfield High School and then attended New Mexico State University, after which he went to Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School. Over there, he spent a decade officiating high school baseball, basketball, and football in New Mexico before entering the minor leagues.Eddings made a controversial uncaught third-strike call in Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series that allowed the Chicago White Sox to extend the ninth inning and score the winning run.Besides these controversies, Eddings has drawn heavy criticism from managers, players and fans over the years for his below-average consistency behind the plate.